‘In the deal for Zubrus, a consistent offensive forward, Buffalo also landed prospect defenseman Timo Helbling. In exchange, the Sabres dealt rookie forward Jiri Novotny, who’s ready to return from a high ankle sprain, and a first-round pick to the Capitals.’

‘ Helbling (25 years old, 6-3, 217 lbs.) has one assist in 11 career NHL games with Washington and Tampa Bay. He was originally selected by Nashville in the sixth round, 162nd overall, in 1999 Entry Draft. He was traded to Tampa Bay by Nashville for Tampa Bay’s eighth-round choice (Pekka Rinne) in 2004 Entry Draft, Feb. 25, 2004. Washington signed Helbling as a free agent on August 8, 2006.’

The Washington Capitals traded centre Dainius Zubrus and defenceman Timo Helbling on Tuesday to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Jiri Novotny and a first-round pick. Zubrus, who signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract with the Capitals in August of 2005, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

‘The Sabres obviously felt a backup of Biron’s caliber was a luxury they no longer could afford. While they’re going to get most of their eight injured guys back in time for the playoffs, they still need an injection of dependable depth to prevent a repeat of last season’s playoff injury nightmares. Chances are this pick, whatever it is, will be flipped before the deadline to address that need.’

'The moves gave the Sabres an additional $1.675 million in cap room to work with. The Sabres have a few more hours before the 3pm trade deadline to put that cap room to additional use. More trades are clearly expected.'

'Conklin appeared in 11 games with the Blue Jackets in 2006-07 and was 2-3-2 with a 3.30 goals-against average and .871 save percentage. He also played with the Syracuse Crunch, the club's American Hockey League affiliate, and was 3-12-3 with a 3.32 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 19 outings. From Buffalo, the Blue Jackets received a fifth round pick in this year's draft, which will be held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Friday and Saturday, June 22-23.'

'Over parts of seven NHL seasons with Buffalo (1995-96 and 1998-99 through 2006-07), Biron has compiled a 134-115-37 record, 2.53 GAA, .909 save percentage and 18 shutouts in 300 career regular season games. He is second on the Sabres All-Time List in shutouts (18) and third in games played (300) and wins (134).'

'"You always want to play and I felt like I could do more for the organization," Biron said of playing a backup role in Buffalo. "They gave me a shot this year to be able to be part of it a little bit more but at the end, it was understandable that something had to be done."'

'"This is an opportunity for us to acquire a goaltender that we really like," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "Biron will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He would have been on our shopping list this summer. Trading for him gives us a chance to get a little more familiar with him and he can get a little more familiar with our team and hopefully see a positive direction and stay here."'

'The Alaska native signed with the Blue Jackets over the summer to serve as the backup for Pascal Leclaire, but was beaten out by Fredrik Norrena for the team's No. 2 netminder job during the preseason and began the 2006-07 campaign in the minors. Conklin was recalled to Columbus in December after Leclaire suffered a knee injury.'